flavorant
FLAY-ver-uhnt
/ˈfleɪvərənt/
A substance added to food to give it a particular taste or smell.
A technical term that encompasses both natural and artificial flavors.
The story behind the word. The root is the Old French 'flaour', which originally referred more to the smell than the taste. This is scientifically accurate, as most of what we perceive as 'flavor' is actually detected by our sense of smell.
Word relationships
- flavoring: 'Flavoring' is the everyday word; 'flavorant' is the technical/chemical term.
Commonly confused with
- seasoning: Seasoning usually refers to salt, herbs, and spices used in cooking; a flavorant is often a concentrated chemical additive.
Word family
- flavor (noun/verb): The distinctive taste of a food or drink.
- flavorful (adj): Having a lot of flavor.
Collocations
- artificial flavorant
- natural flavorant
- potent flavorant
Example sentences
- "The chemist developed a new flavorant that perfectly mimicked the taste of wild strawberries." Food engineering.
- "If a flavorant is derived from a natural source, it can be labeled as a 'natural flavor' even if it is highly processed." Labeling requirements.
Memory hook
A FLAVOR-ant is an AGENT (-ant) of FLAVOR. The taste agent.
When not to use
Do not use in casual conversation; 'flavoring' is much more common. Use 'flavorant' in scientific or regulatory contexts.
Fun facts
- There are over 2,000 different flavorants currently approved for use in food.
- The 'banana' flavorant used in candy is based on an old variety of banana (the Gros Michel) that is now nearly extinct.
Explore more words
gustatory, olfactory, aroma, artificial, organoleptic, aromatic
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